Voyages made in the years 1788 and 1789, from China to the north west coast of America

About this book

Voyages made in the Years 1788 and 1789, from China to the North West Coast of America. To Which are Prefixed, an Introductory Narrative of a Voyage Performed in 1786, from Bengal, in the ship Nootka; Observations on the Probable Existence of a North West Passage; and some Account of the Trade Between the North West Coast of America and China; and the Latter Country and Great Britain "This is one of the early and fundamental books on the Northwest coast of America in general and on Alaska in particular. In addition to his voyages from China to America in 1788 and 1789, which form the principal part of this work, Captain Meares describes his earlier voyage to the Northwest coast from Bengal, which took place in 1786 and 1787.. This work, profusely illustrated and with many valuable historical documents appended to the main narrative, is of great importance in the study of early trading in furs originating on the Northwest coast and of a serious conflict between the English and the Spaniards in this connection"(Lada-Mocarski 46).